Diabetes link to a greater risk of back pain

PEOPLE with type 1 and type 2 diabetes are more prone to back and neck pain, suggests a review carried out by researchers at the University of Sydney.

This revealed that they have a 35 per cent greater risk of lower back pain and a 24 per cent higher risk of neck pain compared with those who don’t have the condition.

While it’s not clear what’s behind the link, the Australian research team — writing in the journal PLOS One — recommended that health care professionals should consider screening patients needing treatment for neck pain or lower back pain for diabetes.